Tony Hrkac
Encyclopedia
Anthony J. "Tony" Hrkac (icon; born July 7, 1966) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who played eighteen season of professional hockey. He is currently head coach of the Concordia University
Men's Ice Hockey Team.
. Hrkac played collegiately at the University of North Dakota
, and was the recipient of the Hobey Baker Award
for top men's collegiate hockey player during the 1986–87 season. He led the team—widely known during this period as the "Hrkac Circus" (the name rhymes) — to a national championship and his 116 points that season still stands as the NCAA single-season scoring mark.
debut with the Blues during the 1987 NHL playoffs, appearing in three games. After two-plus seasons with the Blues, he was traded (along with Greg Millen) to the Quebec Nordiques
in exchange for Jeff Brown.
In his NHL
career, Hrkac would play for the Blues, Nordiques, San Jose Sharks
, Chicago Blackhawks
, Dallas Stars
, Edmonton Oilers
, New York Islanders
, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, and Atlanta Thrashers
. Hrkac's rights were also briefly owned by the Pittsburgh Penguins
when they acquired him and Bobby Dollas
from the Edmonton Oilers for forward Josef Beranek
. On June 26, ten days after initially acquiring Hrkac, the Penguins lost Hrkac to the Nashville Predators in the 1998 NHL Expansion Draft
. Less than two weeks later, Hrkac was moved once again; this time to the Dallas Stars. He was traded on July 9, 1998 for future considerations.
In 758 career NHL games, Hrkac scored 132 goals and added 239 assists. He also appeared in 41 playoff games, scoring seven goals and adding seven assists. He was a member of the 1998–99 Dallas Stars team which won the Stanley Cup
.
champion Milwaukee Admirals
in 2003–04. While there were rumors that the St. Louis Blues were seeking to sign him for one last stint with his original team, Hrkac retired after the 2004–05
season.
Hrkac came out of retirement for the 2008–09
season, at the age of 42, by signing with the AHL's Houston Aeros
on March 11, 2009.
officials announced that the university added Division III men’s and women’s hockey to its sports line-up for the 2007–2008 school year. Tony Hrkac was named the first men’s hockey coach in Concordia history.
Concordia University Wisconsin
Concordia University Wisconsin is a private liberal arts college located in Mequon, Wisconsin. The school is an affiliate of the 10-member Concordia University System, which is operated by the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod ....
Men's Ice Hockey Team.
College
Hrkac was drafted in the second round, 32nd overall, by the St. Louis Blues in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft1984 NHL Entry Draft
The 1984 NHL Entry Draft took place on June 9, 1984, at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec.The 1984 Entry Draft was noted for the unusually high number of future Hall of Famers picked, particularly in lower rounds. In addition to Mario Lemieux being taken first overall, Patrick Roy was chosen...
. Hrkac played collegiately at the University of North Dakota
University of North Dakota
The University of North Dakota is a public university in Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA. Established by the Dakota Territorial Assembly in 1883, six years before the establishment of the state of North Dakota, UND is the oldest and largest university in the state and enrolls over 14,000 students. ...
, and was the recipient of the Hobey Baker Award
Hobey Baker Award
The Hobey Baker Award is an annual award given to the top National Collegiate Athletic Association men's ice hockey player.It is named for hockey player and World War I veteran Hobey Baker, who played collegiately at Princeton University and learned the game at St...
for top men's collegiate hockey player during the 1986–87 season. He led the team—widely known during this period as the "Hrkac Circus" (the name rhymes) — to a national championship and his 116 points that season still stands as the NCAA single-season scoring mark.
National Hockey League
He made his National Hockey LeagueNational Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
debut with the Blues during the 1987 NHL playoffs, appearing in three games. After two-plus seasons with the Blues, he was traded (along with Greg Millen) to the Quebec Nordiques
Quebec Nordiques
The Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League...
in exchange for Jeff Brown.
In his NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
career, Hrkac would play for the Blues, Nordiques, San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
, Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
, Dallas Stars
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The...
, Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
, New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, and Atlanta Thrashers
Atlanta Thrashers
The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League on June 25, 1997, and became the league's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL season...
. Hrkac's rights were also briefly owned by the Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
when they acquired him and Bobby Dollas
Bobby Dollas
Bobby Dollas is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Dollas played defence for the Winnipeg Jets, Quebec Nordiques, Detroit Red Wings, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Calgary Flames, Ottawa Senators and San Jose Sharks.-Playing career:Dollas played...
from the Edmonton Oilers for forward Josef Beranek
Josef Beránek
Josef Beránek is a professional ice hockey player. He was selected in the fourth round of the 1989 NHL Entry Draft, 78th overall, by the Edmonton Oilers. He has extensive professional playing experience, in both the Czech Republic, the AHL, and the NHL...
. On June 26, ten days after initially acquiring Hrkac, the Penguins lost Hrkac to the Nashville Predators in the 1998 NHL Expansion Draft
1998 NHL Expansion Draft
The 1998 NHL Expansion Draft was held in on June 26, 1998. The draft took place to fill the roster of the league's expansion team for the 1998–99 season, the Nashville Predators.-Rules:...
. Less than two weeks later, Hrkac was moved once again; this time to the Dallas Stars. He was traded on July 9, 1998 for future considerations.
In 758 career NHL games, Hrkac scored 132 goals and added 239 assists. He also appeared in 41 playoff games, scoring seven goals and adding seven assists. He was a member of the 1998–99 Dallas Stars team which won the Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
.
American Hockey League
Hrkac returned to the minor leagues in 2003 after he was unable to sign with an NHL club. He was a key player on the Calder CupCalder Cup
The Calder Cup is awarded annually to the playoff champion of the American Hockey League. The trophy is the world's second oldest continuous professional ice hockey championship, having first been awarded in 1937 following the 1936-37 AHL season, and continuously being awarded every year.The cup...
champion Milwaukee Admirals
Milwaukee Admirals
The Milwaukee Admirals are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA at the Bradley Center.-History:...
in 2003–04. While there were rumors that the St. Louis Blues were seeking to sign him for one last stint with his original team, Hrkac retired after the 2004–05
2004–05 AHL season
The 2004–05 AHL season was the 69th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished first overall in the regular season...
season.
Hrkac came out of retirement for the 2008–09
2008–09 AHL season
The 2008–09 AHL season is the 73rd season of the American Hockey League. 29 teams each played 80 games in the regular season, which ran from October 8 until April 12.-Team and NHL affiliation changes:...
season, at the age of 42, by signing with the AHL's Houston Aeros
Houston Aeros
The Houston Aeros are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. The team plays in Houston, Texas, at the Toyota Center. They are the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Minnesota Wild.- History :...
on March 11, 2009.
Awards and achievements
- 1986-87, Hobey Baker AwardHobey Baker AwardThe Hobey Baker Award is an annual award given to the top National Collegiate Athletic Association men's ice hockey player.It is named for hockey player and World War I veteran Hobey Baker, who played collegiately at Princeton University and learned the game at St...
, NCAA - 1992-93, James Gatschene Memorial TrophyJames Gatschene Memorial TrophyThe James Gatschene Memorial Trophy was awarded annually to the International Hockey League player selected as most valuable through his display of outstanding playing ability and sportsmanlike conduct over the course of the regular season, as chosen by the league coaches.The trophy was first...
, awarded to the Most Valuable Player who showed sportsmanship, IHL - 1992-93, Leo P. Lamoureux Memorial TrophyLeo P. Lamoureux Memorial TrophyThe Leo P. Lamoureax Memorial Trophy was awarded annually to the International Hockey League's leading point scorer. The trophy was donated by Melvin T. Ross, the manager of the Indiana State Fair Coliseum, in memoriam of Leo Lamoureux, coach of the Indianapolis Chiefs, who died during the...
, IHL - Hrkac's #26 was retired by the AHLAmerican Hockey LeagueThe American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
's Milwaukee AdmiralsMilwaukee AdmiralsThe Milwaukee Admirals are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA at the Bradley Center.-History:...
on March 14, 2008.
Coaching career
On September 19, 2006, Concordia UniversityConcordia University Wisconsin
Concordia University Wisconsin is a private liberal arts college located in Mequon, Wisconsin. The school is an affiliate of the 10-member Concordia University System, which is operated by the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod ....
officials announced that the university added Division III men’s and women’s hockey to its sports line-up for the 2007–2008 school year. Tony Hrkac was named the first men’s hockey coach in Concordia history.
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1984–85 | U. of North Dakota University of North Dakota The University of North Dakota is a public university in Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA. Established by the Dakota Territorial Assembly in 1883, six years before the establishment of the state of North Dakota, UND is the oldest and largest university in the state and enrolls over 14,000 students. ... |
WCHA Western Collegiate Hockey Association The Western Collegiate Hockey Association is a college athletic conference which operates over a wide area of the Midwestern and Western United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as an ice hockey-only conference.... |
36 | 18 | 36 | 54 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1985–86 | Canadian Nat | Intl | 62 | 19 | 30 | 49 | 36 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1986–87 | U. of North Dakota | WCHA | 48 | 46 | 70 | 116 | 48 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1986–87 | St. Louis Blues St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team is named after the famous W. C. Handy song "St. Louis Blues", and plays in the 19,150-seat Scottrade... |
NHL | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1987–88 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 67 | 11 | 37 | 48 | 22 | 10 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 4 | ||
| 1988–89 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 70 | 17 | 28 | 45 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 1989–90 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 28 | 5 | 12 | 17 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1989–90 | Quebec Nordiques Quebec Nordiques The Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 22 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1989–90 1989–90 AHL season The 1989–90 AHL season was the 54th season of the American Hockey League.Fourteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Sherbrooke Canadiens repeated finishing first overall in the regular season... |
Halifax Citadels Halifax Citadels The Halifax Citadels were a professional ice hockey team based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They played in the American Hockey League between 1988 and 1993... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
20 | 12 | 21 | 33 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 4 | ||
| 1990–91 1990–91 AHL season The 1990–91 AHL season was the 55th season of the American Hockey League. Fifteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished first overall in the regular season... |
Halifax Citadels | AHL | 3 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1990–91 | Quebec Nordiques | NHL | 70 | 16 | 32 | 48 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1991–92 | San Jose Sharks San Jose Sharks The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 22 | 2 | 10 | 12 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1991–92 | Chicago Blackhawks Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10... |
NHL | 18 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 1992–93 | Indianapolis Ice Indianapolis Ice The Indianapolis Ice is the name of a former hockey team in Indianapolis, Indiana, that played in the International Hockey League from 1988–99 and in the Central Hockey League from 1999–2004. Their original home arena was the Indiana State Fairgrounds Pepsi Coliseum at the Indiana State Fairgrounds... |
IHL | 80 | 45 | 87 | 132 | 70 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | ||
| 1993–94 | Peoria Rivermen Peoria Rivermen The Peoria Rivermen are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Peoria, Illinois, USA at the Carver Arena.-History:... |
IHL | 45 | 30 | 51 | 81 | 25 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 1993–94 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 36 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1994–95 | Milwaukee Admirals Milwaukee Admirals The Milwaukee Admirals are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA at the Bradley Center.-History:... |
IHL | 71 | 24 | 67 | 91 | 26 | 15 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 16 | ||
| 1995–96 | Milwaukee Admirals | IHL | 43 | 14 | 28 | 42 | 18 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | ||
| 1996–97 | Milwaukee Admirals | IHL | 81 | 27 | 61 | 88 | 20 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | ||
| 1997–98 | Michigan K-Wings | IHL | 20 | 7 | 15 | 22 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1997–98 | Dallas Stars Dallas Stars The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The... |
NHL | 13 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1997–98 | Edmonton Oilers Edmonton Oilers The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League .... |
NHL | 36 | 8 | 11 | 19 | 10 | 12 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 1998–99 | Dallas Stars | NHL | 69 | 13 | 14 | 27 | 26 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | ||
| 1999–00 | New York Islanders New York Islanders The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 7 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1999–00 | Mighty Ducks of Anaheim | NHL | 60 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2000–01 | Mighty Ducks of Anaheim | NHL | 80 | 13 | 25 | 38 | 29 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2001–02 | Atlanta Thrashers Atlanta Thrashers The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League on June 25, 1997, and became the league's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL season... |
NHL | 80 | 18 | 26 | 44 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2002–03 | Atlanta Thrashers | NHL | 80 | 9 | 17 | 26 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 2003–04 AHL season The 2003–04 AHL season was the 68th season of the American Hockey League. The league introduces the Willie Marshall Award in honour the career points leader in the AHL, and awards it to the annual top goal scorer.... |
Milwaukee Admirals | AHL | 68 | 20 | 39 | 59 | 20 | 22 | 8 | 12 | 20 | 8 | ||
| 2004–05 2004–05 AHL season The 2004–05 AHL season was the 69th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished first overall in the regular season... |
Milwaukee Admirals | AHL | 77 | 12 | 28 | 40 | 14 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 8 | ||
| 2008–09 2008–09 AHL season The 2008–09 AHL season is the 73rd season of the American Hockey League. 29 teams each played 80 games in the regular season, which ran from October 8 until April 12.-Team and NHL affiliation changes:... |
Houston Aeros Houston Aeros The Houston Aeros are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. The team plays in Houston, Texas, at the Toyota Center. They are the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Minnesota Wild.- History :... |
AHL | 12 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 19 | 4 | 10 | 14 | 8 | ||
| 2009–10 2009–10 AHL season The 2009–10 AHL season was the 74th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-nine teams played 80 regular-season games each from October 2 to April 11... |
Houston Aeros | AHL | 17 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 758 | 132 | 239 | 371 | 173 | 41 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 12 | ||||